Archive for the ‘George W. Bush’ Category

A reasonably objective review of the George W. Bush presidency would indicate successes and some failures. On the negative side was the war in Iraq that with the benefit of hindsight was not required given Iraq not having weapons of mass destruction. In addition, Bush’s economic policies led to increased deficits and bailouts of irresponsible and failed companies.

On the positive side, George W. Bush’s response and leadership after the 9/11 terrorist attacks was artful. In addition, whether one agreed or disagreed with his foreign policies, they were at least consistent and coherent.

History is beginning to look more kindly on the George W. Bush presidency. According to a recent CNN/ORC International Poll, 45% of Americans now view his presidency in a positive manner, up 13% in the past four years.

While some of the positive trend can be attributed to the passage of time, the disappointments of the Obama presidency are likely adding to a more positive view of the Bush years. To many, President Obama does not always act presidential. He is the most partisan president of modern times. In addition, while Obama has continually blamed Bush for the ongoing failures of his policies, George W. Bush has been a perfect gentleman, never responding to any of these attacks. The difference in approaches help define the differences between a community organizer and a president.

The mid-term elections were remarkable by the sheer number of losses suffered by the sitting majority Democrats. It was truly historic. But the real story is just how fast and how far Barack Obama has fallen in only two years as the elections were indeed a referendum on the president and his policies.

“During the 2008 election campaign, Obama slammed Bush at every turn. Since then, the 44th President has almost ceaselessly blamed his predecessor for everything, even stooping to lambast Karl Rove, Bush’s long-time aide, by name during the recent mid-terms campaign.”

“But the anti-Bush shtick soon wore thin. Two years after Obama was anointed, the halo around his head seemed distinctly tarnished. In his post-defeat interview with 60 Minutes, Obama was at his most listless and meandering, projecting all the certainty of a Hamlet on the Potomac.”

“Who would have thought that the man hailed as a great American orator and whose stage at the 2008 Democratic convention was a faux Greek temple would be shown up in terms of the theatricality and articulation of the presidency by the man derided as a tongue-tied bumbler and global village idiot?”

But it is Harnden’s conclusions that are truly noteworthy:

Looking at the 43rd and 44th American presidents right now, it is worth reflecting that it was only the unpopularity of Bush and all he represented that enabled someone as inexperienced and unproven as Obama to ascend to power. By the same token, perhaps only a performance in office as myopic, self-absorbed and hubristic as that of Obama could have brought about a Bush rehabilitation so swiftly.

We Americans should reflect on our vote for a person with so little experience for what is perhaps the most complex job in the world. That lapse in judgment will be judged harshly by historians in the future.

Lee forwarded an item that is circulating the Internet questioning what America’s reaction would have been to Barack Obama’s policies and actions had they been inflicted on the Country by his predecessor, George W. Bush (text below). It makes an interesting, but by now mostly moot, point.

The Bush Presidency was rightfully called on its two major failures: the mistake about Iraq’s WMDs and Bush’s refusal to veto wasteful spending bills sent to him by the Republican led Congress. At the same time Bush was wrongfully taken to task for trivial items by a mainstream media biased against anyone right of center.

Contrast the press’s treatment of Bush with its treatment of Barack Obama. Before his election, the press did not probe Obama’s relationship with radicals such as Pastor Wright and Bill Ayres. Early in his Presidency it became apparent that Obama’s polices were shallow and out of step with most Americans. Yet the mainstream media ignored these shortcomings. Obama also made many fumbles, such as mistakenly jumping in the Professor Gates and Sargent Crowley matter before knowing the facts. But the press made excuses for the gaffs.

Many of us who consider ourselves real conservative were not enthusiastic supporters of George W. Bush. His economic policies ran up huge deficits. President Bush also was responsible for the initial corporate bailouts that go against free-market economics. Finally, Mr. Bush was willing to have government intrude into the personal lives of Americans.

Because of the above, old-time Goldwater type conservatives were lukewarm to President Bush and not all that sorry to see him go. However, President Obama, with his reckless foreign policy and outrageous spending, has made George W. Bush look a lot better more recently. The photo below says it all.